Diane DeBella

Diane DeBella received her Bachelor’s degree in English, with an emphasis in American Literature, from James Madison University, and her Master’s degree in English, with an emphasis in the Teaching of Writing, at San Diego State University. She has taught writing at the college level for twenty years, and is a full-time faculty member at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

"As a teacher of writing and literature, I have spent twenty years studying women writers. What has always interested me, even more than their writing, is the story of their lives, not because their lives were incredibly extraordinary - although some of them were - but because I recognized so many of their personal struggles in my own life. Issues that Mary Wollstonecraft was facing in eighteenth century England, Charlotte Perkins Gilman in late nineteenth century/early twentieth century America, and Adrienne Rich and Anne Sexton in the mid to late twentieth century—are issues I face today, and my daughter will likely face tomorrow.

Why, after all this time, are women still trying to cope with the same issues? And why haven’t we been able to resolve them? We need to realize that there are only different versions of one collective story, and women will continue to face the same issues until we find the strength and solidarity to confront them. If we discover what is necessary to break the cycle the next generation of women, including my own daughter, might never have to visit those dark places of self-doubt and loathing, and instead can spread their newly sprouted wings and soar."

Christopher M. Hanson

Chris Hanson is President of Trevian Financial, LLC, a registered investment adviser specializing in asset management and comprehensive financial planning. Trevian Financial consults with individuals, families, and small businesses to identify and prioritize financial goals and objectives, tailoring strategies to help them reach their goals.

Chris also offers financial planning workshops, including one that is specific to women. As a financial planner, Chris understands that it is essential for all women to be adequately prepared for whatever financial challenges confront them, especially women who are single, divorced, or widowed. Chris' skills and background provide a vital resource to the entire Courage Is Change family and is in direct correlation with the Courage Is Change mission and philosophy.

Prior to founding Trevian Financial in 2008, Chris worked in the hair care industry for over 12 years, most recently for American Crew in Denver, where he was Vice President of Sales. Chris received a B.A. in Communications from Loyola Marymount University, an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from Regis University, and a P.F.P. certificate from UCLA. He is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary.